The official dates for the Vegetarian Festival in Phuket are from Oct 15 through Oct 23, though the events start one day before (Oct 14 this year) when Chinese shrines taking part in the event hold the traditional ceremony to raise the Go Teng poles.
The ceremony attracts huge crowds of devotees every year irrgardless of the day of week. Yet this time the day of the ceremony fell on Saturday, meaning even more people will be able to attend.
The poles, tall slender trees gilded with gold-coloured paper, will be raised from 3.45pm through 6pm depending on the shrine. Most devotees will gather in the shrines in advance.
The Cultural Council of Talad Yai sub-disctrict posted the following schedule today:
3.45pm
- Baan Kian Shrine
- Jeng Ong Shrine (near Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town)
4.30pm
- Tae Gun Tai Tae Shrine (Baan Pasak)
4.45pm
- Bang Khu Shrine (Koh Kaew)
5pm
- Kathu Shrine
- Jui Tui Shrine
- Bang Niew Shrine
- Sui Boon Tong Shrine (Lorong Shrine, Phuket Town)
- Sam Ong Hu Shrine (Cherng Talay)
- Guan Yu Shrine (Ban Nabon)
- Bu Seng Tong Shrine (Baan Kian)
- Lipon Shrine
- Bu Tong Chan Keng Shrine
5.09pm
- Joor Su Gong Naka Shrine
- Jong Ngi Tong Shrine (Tonsai Waterfall)
- Samkong Shrine
- Hok Ong Tong Shrine (Chalong)
- Sam Sian Tong Shrine (Chalong)
5.10pm
- Gim Su Ong Shrine (Baan Don)
5.15pm
- Sapam Shrine
5.25pm
- Seng Leng Tong Shrine (Muang Mai)
- Thung Thong Shrine (Kathu)
5.30pm
- Keng Hun Keng Shrine (Chalong)
- Bang Jo Shrine
5.39pm
- Mai Khai Shrine
5.49
- Ngore Choon Gend Shrine (Baan Ya)
- Tha Ruea Shrine (Heroines Monument)
- Thep Anusorn Shrine (Wichit)
6pm
- Surin Shrine
6.09pm
- Tha Chatchai Shrine
For more details about Phuket Vegetarian Festival 2023, including the schedule of main events, please check out this story.